Every week is a busy week when it comes to Disney news. To help you keep up with all of the updates coming out of Walt Disney World and other Disney resorts, here’s WDWNT’s weekly recap of the Disney news from March 18-24!

Walt Disney World

• New offerings have been announced for the 2019 Walt Disney World Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend in October – including package enhancements for both runners and spectators.

Magic Kingdom

• As part of the ongoing enhancements in the guest arrival experience at the parks, it has been announced that the Walk Around the World personalised bricks are going to be removed in phases at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom.
• However, guests will be able to purchase special commemorative bricks in these designs in kiosks which are now open in the Magic Kingdom and Disney Springs, and guests who sponsored one of the original Walk Around the World bricks will be able to have a replica made for the special price of $10.00.

• The Cinderella Castle moat has now been completely drained in preparation of the widening of the path connecting Fantasyland and Liberty Square.
• We can confirm that a new firework spectacular is coming to Mickeys Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this year, along with special Halloweeny overlays for three of the rides: the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor.
• We learned that two separate lawsuits have been filed against Disney following incidents on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, during which collisions resulted in injury to guests.
• Even more Magic Kingdom Early Morning Magic dates have been added through September
• Check out this week’s photo report for the Magic Kingdom, taken on a rainy day!
• Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station has now reopened after it’s refurbishment, leaving it looking better and brighter than ever.
• We’re pleased to report that Aunt Polly’s Restaurant on Tom Sawyer Island will now be open daily through April 28, with a  fun menu featuring two new peanut butter sandwiches!

Animal Kingdom

• Guests visiting Animal Kingdom throughout April and May will be able to explore for longer with these newly-announced extended park hours.
• A new schedule will be coming into place on the DINOSAUR attraction at the end of the month, with the ride closing an hour before park close.
• We were very happy to hear that Rafiki’s Planet Watch is due to re-open after its refurbishment this summer!
• Kali River Rapids is back! The water ride re-opened this week after its annual refurbishment just in time for Spring Break.
• This week, a triggered fire alarm caused the temporary closure of both the Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey attractions in Pandora… and it isn’t the first time.
• There’s a new pass available on Flight of Passage, enabling guests to leave and then re-enter the long queues to join their party, should they need a break.

Epcot

• We were very pleased to confirm the rumors that a tasty new authentic crepe restaurant will be coming to the France Pavilion!
• Also in the France pavilion, check out the construction update photos we took of the upcoming Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction.
• It has been announced that a new film titled Awesome Planet will be coming to The Land pavilion, showcasing our beautiful and incredible Earth.
• Check out this week’s photo report for Epcot, featuring Flower and Garden Festival activities, a Disneynature Penguins statue, construction updates, and more.
• Check out our construction photo update for the Guardians of the Galaxy coaster!

Hollywood Studios

• The expanded new bus loops at Hollywood Studios are now open and functioning – we went down to check it out and take some photos of the much more organized and spacious area.
• Also in Hollywood Studios transportation news, the parking lot zones have been renamed to represent the characters featured in the park’s attractions.
• Check out this week’s photo report for Hollywood Studios, including Lightning McQueen Racing Academy opening preparation, Skyliner progress, and Jedi Master Stitch! (Yes, you read that right.)
• We love a Disney dance party, and there’s a new one set for Hollywood Studios! ‘DJ’s ready! Set! Party Time!’ will speed into Sunset Showcase on March 31, themed around Disney•Pixar’s Cars.
• Also in preparation for Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, DJ and Cruz Ramirez have sped over to Sunset Showcase for photo ops and entertainment.
• We noticed lots of new signs and banners that have been installed at the park’s main gate and throughout the park in preparation for the 30th anniversary celebration.
• We found a shiny new pair of candy lollipop Minnie Ears at Celebrity 5 & 10! Check them out in all their sparkly glory here.

Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon

• Both Walt Disney World water parks will be offering add-on “Splash Packs” – a convenient bundle of food and merchandise to enhance your experience.

Disney Springs

• Jaleo by Jose Andres has now opened at Disney Springs! We tried all 37 items on the menu to review for you, and can conclude the latest dining addition is truly a hit – go check it out when you can!
• We reviewed the refreshing new Dole Whip Froscato and Mimosa, available for a limited time only at The Basket at Disney Springs.
• This week, we brought you a rumor that there will be a Frozen 2 VR attraction coming to Disney Springs at Walt Disney World and Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort, slated to coincide with the movie’s release this November.
• We reviewed the Banana Chocolate Chip with Dulce De Leche ice cream over at Sprinkles, because it’s not just the cupcakes there which are delicious!

Walt Disney World Resorts

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

• Mizner’s Lounge at the Grand Floridian will be closing for an expansion and refurbishment in April until Fall 2019.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

• Make way, make way! Pineapple Lanai at the Polynesian is now serving up a Heart of Te Fiti lime Dole Whip cone.

DIsney’s Riviera Resort

• The Riviera Resort is really starting to take shape – check out our construction update here.
• Check out these first photos of the room décor and artwork for the rooms at the Riviera, inspired by European art with a Disney twist.
• See these artist rendering photos of the stylish and bright proposed layout for Topolino’s Terrace restaurant at the upcoming Riviera Resort.

Disneyland Resort

Disneyland

• Take a further look into the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge platform on the Play Disney Parks app, including a look at the interface, its features and the amazing enhancements it will bring to your immersive experience in the upcoming galaxy far, far away.
• In anticipation for the anticipated crowds at the opening of Galaxy’s Edge, the Tiki Juice Bar in Adventureland will be trialling a mobile-only ordering system in an effort to reduce congestion.
• The Indiana Jones Adventure attraction may be down for refurb, but this week Disneyland offered guests the chance to go on a guided walking tour of the elaborate queue area.
• Check out this week’s photo report for the Disneyland Resort, including spring break crowds, construction, Sleeping Beauty Castle updates and merchandise.
• We tried this cute mini lemon blueberry Donald Bundt Cake at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe, which even comes topped with Donald’s adorable little hat.

Disney California Adventure

• A new entrance sign has gone up for Jessie’s Critter Carousel in Pixar Pier, which will be opening next month.
• More details have been revealed for the all-new Spiderman interactive ride experience coming to Disney California Adventure and Disneyland Paris, read up on the backstory of the attraction here.

Downtown Disney District

• An all-new experience is coming to Downtown Disney this April, in celebration of 90 years of Mickey Mouse. Pop Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration tickets are on sale now, and looks set to be a bright, colorful and immersive experience.
• This week, we brought you a rumor that there will be a Frozen 2 VR attraction coming to Disney Springs at Walt Disney World and Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort, slated to coincide with the movie’s release this November.
• We reviewed the limited-time Bacon-Wrapped Bratwurst Hoagie and BP Lager from Ballast Point Brewery.

Disneyland Resort Hotels

Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

• We reviewed the Get Your Ears On Celebration Mickey and Minnie Celebration Cake Donuts, a pricey but adorable sweet snack.

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

• Aulani has teased that one of Duffy’s friends will be joining the gang at the resort. Last August saw the arrival of ‘Olu, so stay tuned to WDWNT to find out who it could be this year!

Disneyland Paris

• To commemorate the closing of the Armageddon: Les Effets Spéciaux attraction in the Walt Disney Studios park, Disneyland Paris is hosting an Annual-Passholder special event to allow for proper goodbyes.
• More details have been revealed for the all-new Spiderman interactive ride experience coming to Disney California Adventure and Disneyland Paris.
• On Saturday, conflicting reports of possible attacks in Disneyland Paris ran through social media, with parts of the park evacuated or put on lockdown. Thankfully, we’re relieved to report that this was confirmed as a false alarm and the park is back running as normal.

Hong Kong Disneyland

• Watch this new ad for the Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! attraction coming soon to Hong Kong Disneyland.

Tokyo Disney Resort

• This week, Tokyo Disney debuted new faces for Mickey and Minnie – the last park to do this – prompting lines of record lengths to meet the characters.
• Have a look at this awesome 35 Photo Highlights from Tokyo Disney Resort’s 35th Anniversary Year review report!

Disney Cruise Line

• Disney Cruise Line guests will be offered exclusive sneak-peeks and news on upcoming Disney movies and park attractions in a new event onboard named ‘Disney at Sea with D23’.

New Merchandise

• Surfs up with all of this new merchandise from Typhoon Lagoon, including apparel, towels and more!
• Look at this adorable Dumbo plush which has soared its way into the Disney parks in time for the release of the live-action remake of the movie.
• There’s a new limited release MagicBand available at Walt Disney World, featuring an intricate new Main Street USA design.
• This gorgeous new Moana “The Ocean Connects Us” Alex & Ani bangle has sailed into the Disney parks and shopDisney this week.

• Last week we showed you this adorable new Classic Disney Animated Animals collection which debuted in the parks, and we’re pleased to report that it’s now available on shopDisney.
• A new collectable Disney Lego Minifigures series will be hitting the Lego Shop Online Store on May 1st, featuring 18 adorable characters from every era of Disney.
• The second series of collectable Toy Story Shufflerz have arrived on shopDisney this week, featuring Toy Story 2 characters including Jessie, Bullseye and Stinky Pete.
• The Spirit Jersey empire has expanded its horizons even more! We spotted Spirit Jerseys for pets this week in the parks, so now your four-legged Disney fans will no longer have to be envious of your Disney style.

• Check out this amazing Tommy Bahama Enchanted Tiki Room men’s shirt which hit Disney parks this week, complete with a mini history lesson on the attraction.
• We love this Steamboat Willie Lego Set which will be newly-released April 1st, with the designer going on a box-signing tour to Disney Parks worldwide.
• A new open-edition MagicBand 2 has hit the shelves, this time featuring Wall-E.
• There’s a new Disney Villains collection makeup range by ColourPop available now on shopDisney.
• Check out this new Piston Cup sipper cup, available now at Cars Land in Disney California Adventure.
• Disney has declared Rose Gold officially “out”, with the Rose Gold Ears to be discontinued in the parks. However, Briar Rose Gold is now “in”, with a collection debuting next month!

• We spotted even more “I’m Here for the…” tees at Disney Springs this week: the fun way to express your true motives behind your park excursions!
• The bright and sunny Dapper Yellow Spirit Jerseys we reported on last week are now exclusively available at World of Disney in Disney Springs.
• We discovered a treasure trove of new Pirates of the Caribbean pins this week, featuring classic ride/movie themes and Mickey and Friends on buccaneering adventures.
• We love this amazing, bold new Genie baseball hat which was spotted over at Disneyland this week, and will be coming soon to Walt Disney World!

Entertainment

• In big entertainment business news, it has been confirmed that Disney’s acquisition of Fox has successfully gone ahead and become effective this week. Read Disney’s official statement regarding the acquisition here.
• Andy’s coming! The first full-length trailer has been released for Toy Story 4.
• Along with the trailer for Toy Story, we got the scoop on some famous faces who will be voicing characters in the movie, along with details on the characters they will portray.
• Dumbo makes some new friends in this adorable new clip for Dumbo, to be released later this month.
• We learned that during the Star Wars Celebration in Chicago next month, ILMxLAB will be hosting an in-depth discussion about their highly anticipated upcoming virtual reality experience, Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series

WDWNT News

• Tickets are now on sale for an an Exclusive Panel Event with former Imagineers and a private screening of “Avengers: Endgame” at WDWNT’s Stage 89 Event!
• Check out WDWNTunes, our very own 24/7 radio station that has rides, shows, background music loops, rarities, and even kooky fake ads.

That’s all of the Disney news for this past week! Make sure you check back at the end of each week for our weekly recaps!

Madeleine